Zhu Family History

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 朱 meaning ‘vermilion’ in Chinese: (i) from Zhu (邾) the name of an ancient state (located in Zouxian in Shandong province) granted to a noble called An by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After this state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character Zhu (邾) was simplified to Zhu (朱) and adopted as a surname. (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Zhu Hu (朱虎) or Zhu Biao (朱彪) officials who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (iii) said to be from the second element of the personal name of Dan Zhu (丹朱) style name of a son of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).

(iv) said to be borne by descendants of Song Weizi, founder of the state of Song, established in around 11th century BC. (v) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Er-Zhu (爾朱) the ancient name of a river (currently called Zhu Jia Chuan located in northwestern Shanxi province). (vi) adopted as a surname by the Ke Zhuo Hun (渴濁渾) and Ke Zhu Hun (可朱渾) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).

Mandarin form of the surname 諸 meaning ‘various’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhu (諸) the name of a fief (located in Zhucheng in Shandong province) in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly from the second element of the personal name Wu Zhu (無諸) style name of the founder of Minyue Kingdom (202–110 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the compound surname Zhu-Ge (諸葛) by Zhu-Ge Shipeng who hid in the Kuaiji Hill after the Chen Qiao Mutiny during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 AD).

Mandarin form of the surname 祝 meaning ‘wizard prayers’ or ‘to pray’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhu (祝) the name of an official post in ancient China in charge of chanting prayers during religious worship. (ii) from the placename Zhu (祝) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) during the reign of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 竺: (i) from the second element of Tian Zhu (天竺) the Chinese name of the ancient Indian Empire whose immigrants in China acquired Zhu (竺) as their surname. (ii) adopted in place of another homophonous Chinese surname Zhu (竹) by Zhu Yan (竹晏) during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 竹 meaning ‘bamboo’ in Chinese: (i) traced back to the state of Gu Zhu (孤竹) a small state (located in Hebei province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) said to be the surname of the leader of the state of Yelang (known as Marquis of Yelang) (located in present-day Guizhou province) during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).